Pin worms are small white contagious worms which are ¼th of an inch in length. They are quite prevalent in children but adults can also suffer from the disease. An adult pinworm lives in the upper part of the colon and survives by feeding on intestinal contents.
To lay eggs, a mature female worm migrates from the intestine to the anal region. These microscopic eggs cause intense itching around the rectum region so that many eggs are picked up under the nails by the fingers during scratching. Once the eggs reach under the fingernail they can be easily transferred back to the stomach through mouth where they hatch and again migrate to the rectum.
Pinworm is a common cause for anal itching among children, some might not feel any symptoms but for others loss of appetite, insomnia, bed wetting, weight loss, irritability, appendicitis, nausea and vomiting is common. If these worms migrate to the female vagina then it can cause inflammation and intense itching in the genital tract. Besides the medication prescribed by your specialist for pinworm treatment simple pinworm natural cures can be followed at home to deal with the parasite.
Hygiene should be the mantra – Once you know that you or your child has pinworms take every step to keep the bottoms clean. Pouring some water on the anal area or wiping the area with wet cloth can provide some temporary relief. However make sure to dispose the cloth or wash the cloth and hands thoroughly after use. It is very important to wash your hands with soap and water each time after you visit the toilet or touch your anus. To encourage this habit in your child you can buy soap with cartoon faces or shapes.
Trim your nail – Keep your fingernails short as it is more convenient for the eggs to hide under long fingernails. Also short nails will be easy to wash off the eggs.
Garlic – Eat a couple of small garlic cloves daily or add enough garlic to your meals. Grind garlic to make a paste and mix less than ½ pinch of it with Vaseline. Apply this on the anal region to deal with the itchiness and kill the eggs. This is one of the best pinworm home remedies for killing the eggs and reducing anal itch.
Detection – Help your doctor to diagnose pinworms by providing him correct information. While you child is sleeping at night you can look at the anal region by spreading the cheeks of the buttocks. If you see white colored approximately ¼ inch long worm – often they look like a piece of cotton then pick it up with a pair of tweezers and store in a small bottle. Press a cellophane tape against the skin of the anal opening when your child complains of anal itch; the tape will pick up the eggs. Press this tape on a glass slide and give it to your specialist to study under the microscope.
